Pipe joint

ABSTRACT

A PIPE JOINT SEAL FOR LARGE SIZE PIPES (SUCH AS 10&#34; DIAMETER OR LARGER) IN THE FORM OF A TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING BLUNT ENDS IS ADAPTED TO BE DSPOSED IN BLUNT END RECESSES OF ALIGNED FLANGED PIPES CONNECTED TOGETHER UNDER STRESSED CONDITIONS, SUCH AS BY STUDS. OUTER ANNULAR MARGINAL GROOVES NEAR THE ENDS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED TO FORM NOSES THAT CONCENTRATE DISTORTION UNDER THE STRESSED CONDITION AT THE ENDS. A STIFFENING COLLAR IS PROVIDED INTEGRAL WITH THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER FOR DISPOSITION BETWEEN ADJACENT FLANGES OF THE PIPES. THE COLLAR MAY EXTEND OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE STUDS THAT HOLD THE FLANGES TOGETHER AND ARE PROVIDED WITH APERTURES ALIGNED WITH THE STUDS, OR, ALTERNATIVELY, IT MAY NOT EXTEND   AS FAR AS THE STUDS, IN WHICH CASE SHIMS OR WASHERSARE PROVIDED ABOUT THE STUDS BETWEEN THE FLANGES TO PREVENT DSTORTION OF THE FLANGES.

June 13, 1972 c. L. TILLMAN m Re. 27,389

PIPE JOINT Original Filed Sept. 12. 1967 F|G.l.

CASSIUS L.TILLMAN III www?. 1W

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 27,389 PIPE JOINT Cassius L. Tillman III, 343 Peters Road, Harvey, La. 70058 Original No. 3,507,506, dated Apr. 21, 1970, Ser. No.

667,260, Sept. 12, 1967, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. No. 616,714, Feb. 16, 1967. Application for reissue June 5, 1970, Ser. No. 43,988

Int. Cl. F16r 15/00; F161 23/00 U.S. Cl. 277-171 9 Claims Matter enclosed in heavy brackets II] appears in the original patent but forms no part o1' this reissue speclcation; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A pipe joint seal for large size pipes (such as diameter or larger) in the form of a tubular member having blunt ends is adapted to be disposed in blunt end recesses of aligned ilanged pipes connected together under stressed conditions, such as by studs. Outer annular marginal grooves near the ends of the tubular members are provided to form noses that concentrate distortion under the stressed condition at the ends. A stitfening collar is provided integral with the middle section of the tubular member for disposition between adjacent flanges of the pipes. The collar may extend outwardly beyond the studs that hold the llanges together and are provided with apertures aligned with the studs; or, alternatively, it may not extend as far as the studs, in which case shims or washers are provided about the studs between the flanges to prevent distortion of the flanges.

This is a continuation-impart of copending application, Ser. No. 616,714, filed Feb. 16, 1967, now abandoned.

In said copending application there is described a pipe joint seal in the form of a tubular member which is adapted to be disposed in recesses of aligned flanged pipes under stressed conditions. Marginal grooves form yieldable nose sections near the ends to concentrate distortion under the stressed condition at the ends resulting in a highly eective seal.

In order to form an effective seal in pipes of relatively large diameter, such as 24-inch diameter pipes and larger, it has been found necessary to provide a stitening means in order to restrict the cross-section of the nose sections Within functional limits.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is the provision of an improvement in a joint seal of the type mentioned which will permit its use in pipes of large diameter and with high pressures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such an improved seal which retains all advantages of the seal including nonturbulence of Huid passing through the joint, antiventuri action, tight fitting, reduction of hazards of handling dangerous iiuids, the capability of installation without the use of special tools or equipment and the ability to use and reuse the seal without substantial injury.

Still further objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description considered together with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention.

The invention differs from prior types of seals, e.g., those described in Patents Nos. 2,766,998 and 2,766,999,

Re. 27,389 Reissued June 13, 1972 wherein faces of the seals and the cooperating faces of the recesses are wedge shaped and, hence, effect an inward camming action when the pipe ends are drawn together. Such an arrangement also makes it difficult, if at all possible, to provide a flush relationship between the inner bore of the seal and the inner diameter of the pipe resulting in turbulent How of uid across the seal as well as venturi action. In the present invention, such turbulence and venturi action are avoided by making the inner diameter of the tubular seal member substantially the same as that of the inner diameter of the pipes and of such a blunt shape that stress is confined substantially axially of the seal and concentrated at the outer ends by means of yieldable noses provided by marginal grooves, thereby avoiding misalignment and resulting in a more effective seal, particularly under variations of relative movement of the connected pipes due to external forces, temperature changes, and other conditions which may affect the seal.

Referring with more particularity to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the embodiment illustrated comprises a tubular member 11 adapted to be disposed at either end in recesses 12 and 13 of aligned abutting pipes 14 and 15. The inner ends 16 and 17 of the recesses are blunt. The pipes typically contain ilanges 1-8 and 19 by means of which the joint is tightened with conventional ilange studs 20 and nuts 21.

Other joint means may be used, such as conventional unions (not shown).

The tubular member 11 has the same internal diameter as that of the pipes 14 and 15 and corresponding blunt ends 22 and 23.

The combined lengths of the recesses 12 and 13 are somewhat less than that of the tubular member 11 so that when the joint is completed by tightening the nuts 2l on the studs 20 longitudinal compressional pressure is exerted on the blunt ends of the tubular member. Recessed :from either -blunt end of the tubular member is an annular groove 24 and 25, respectively, to provide marginal nose sections 26 and 27, respectively, relatively more flexible than other parts of the member. By these means there is substantially prevented the transmission of distortion to the central section 2S of the member 11 under the compressional stress which might otherwise result from misalignment, machining variations or other factors.

The outer surface of the central section 28 is generally convex while the outer nose sections 26 and 27 extending beyond the grooves 24 and 25, respectively, are generally fiat. The recesses 12 and 13 are made to correspond to these configurations, the inner ends 16 and 17 of the recesses being slightly wider than those of the corresponding nose sections 26 and 27 to allow for a degree of exibility of the nose sections.

By these means also longitudinal distortion of the member 11 is concentrated at the nose sections permitting an exact mutual engagement between the central section 28 and the corresponding parts of the recesses 12 and 13.

Conventional surface seals 31 and 32 may be provided in grooves 33 and 34, respectively, of the central section 28 on either side of the `joint line.

By these means it will be apparent that there is provided a stressed seal which yields to a degree under changes in the joint such as may be due to temperature, bending, etc. without interfering with the sealing of the joint. It is to be understood, however, that the stressing of the seal member should always be within its elastic limit so as to permit it to function properly.

The tubular member 11 may be made of any suitable metal, such as steel, and may be coated with dierent types of plastic ilow or elastic material such as Teflon, Hycar, rubber, plastic, etc. Alternatively, it may be coated with 3 silver, lead, zinc, cadmium, copper, etc. to provide a redistributable surface and thereby a tighter joint..lt will also be apparent that by the use of the tubular member 11 there is facilitated the bringing together of the ends of the pipes in proper alignment when making up the joint.

Integral with the central section 28 of the tubular member 11 is a collar 35 which extends outwardly between the anges 18 and 19. When the studs 20 are tightened the collar 3S is secured between the flanges and results in stitening the tubular member. Shims or washers 36 are disposed about the studs between the pipe flanges to pervent distortion of the anges against the collar by the studs. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the collar may extend outwardly beyond the studs and be provided with aligned apertures 37 for the studs.

The parts are so proportioned that the thickness of the collar is less than the difference between the length of the tubular member 11 and the combined lengths of the recesses 12 and 13 to a degree within the elastic limits of the parts stressed thereby.

This configuration may also be used with small sizes of pipe where design criteria of the adjoining parts make it desirable.

I claim:

1. A pipe seal comprising a [single] blunt ended tubular member and a joint of two axially aligned pipes of equal inside diameters, said pipes having corresponding blunt recesses in their adjacent ends and [end anges] means for closing the joint, said tubular member being inserted in said recesses with the ends of the tubular member engaging the end walls of the recesses, the length of said tubular member being greater than the combined lengths of said recesses, whereby the member is subjected to compressional stress on closure of the joint, said member having end portions delineated by marginal outer radially extending [untilled] annular grooves to provide relatively resilient noses at said end portions under the compressional stress, the inside diameter of the tubular member being substantially the same as the inside diameter of the pipes.

2. A pipe joint seal as defined by claim 7 and two axially aligned pipes, said pipes having corresponding blunt recesses in their adjacent ends, said tubular member being disposed in said recesses and means forcing and holding [the pipe anges] said means for closing the joint against the collar under stress sufficient to deect the noses.

3. A seal as defined by claim 2 in which the inside diameter of the tubular member is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the pipes.

4. A seal as dened by claim 2 in which said means for closing the joint comprise end flanges on said pipes and in which the forcing and holding means comprises threaded studs passing through apertures [of] in the [pipe] end anges.

5. A seal as dened by claim 7 including end flanges on said pipes and holding means comprising threaded studs extending through apertures in said flanges, and in which the stabilizing collar extends outwardly a distance less than the studs and shim means between the pipe flanges adjacent said studs.

6. A seal as defined by claim 7 including end flanges on said pipes and joint holding means comprising threaded studs extending through apertures in said flanges, and in which the collar extends outwardly beyond the studs, said collar having apertures aligned with the studs.

7. A pipe joint as defined by claim 1 and a stabilizing collar integral with the central section of the member, said collar extending radially outward, the thickness of the collar being less than the difference between the length of the tubular member and the combined lengths of the recesses.

8. A pipe joint seal as dened in claim 1 in which the means for closing the joint comprise end flanges on said pipes.

9. A pipe seal comprising a blunt ended tubing member and a joint of two axially aligned pipes, said pipes having axially aligned corresponding blunt recesses in their adjacent ends and means for closing the joint, said tubular member being inserted in said recesses with the ends of the tubular member engaging the end walls of the recesses, the length of said tubular member being greater than the combined lengths of said recesses, whereby the member is subjected to compressional stress on closure of the joint, said member having end portions delineated by marginal outer radially extending annular grooves to provide relatively resilient noses at said end portions under said compressonal stress.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented tile of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 951,704 3/11910 Schmidt 285-3342 1,197,863 9/1916 Schreiber 285-3342 X 2,775,471 12/1956 Douglass 285-3342 X 2,999,700 9/1961 Smith 285-3342 X 1,426,724 8/1922 Fyfe 285-3342. X 2,517,290 8/1950 De Monde et al 277-225 2,635,900 4/1953 Mayo et al. 285-3342 X 2,699,344 1/ 1955 Bissell 285-341 3,307,854 3/1961 Hatfield 277-225 3,325,192 6/1967 Sullivan 285-341 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,234,100 2/ 1967 Germany.

SAMUEL B. ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. Re 27, 389 Dated June 13, 1972 Invencor) Cassius L. Tillman, lll

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The attached sheet of drawing should be inserted in the grant only:

Signed and sealed this 26th day of December 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER ,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM Po'wso (10'69) uscoMM-oc cave-pea Re. 27,389 June 13, 1972 Cassius L. Tillman, III PAGE 2 June 13,1972 c. L. TILLMAN ul Re- 27,339

PIPE JUINT Original Filed Sept. 12, 1967 FIG. 2.

CASSIUS L.TILLMAN III FIG. l.

ATTORNEY 

